Migration, Development and Gender in Morocco
Moha Ennaji University of Fes, Morocco 1. Introduction
Moroccan males migrate from rural and urban areas to Europe, mainly France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, and Holland. The genesis of this migration shows t hat this it is a recent phenomenon (Lapeyronni 1992, Berrada et al, 1994, Chattou 1998). The first waves of migrants left Morocco in the 1950s and 1960s; then migration to Western Europe increased in the 1970s and 1980s. In the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, le gal and illegal migration co -existed and were tolerated as Europe needed manpower (Chattou 1998). Consequently, the first waves of migrants relatively succeeded to improve their standards of living and take care of their families in both Morocco and the h ost countries. However, from the mid - 1980s onward, the increase in migration was counterbalanced by the implementation of the visa and the Shengen agreement which reinforced control on migrants from Morocco to Europe. This resulted in the spread of new fo rms of illegal migration.
The extent of present-day male migration from Morocco to Europe is difficult to measure given its illegal side. Statistics show that the majority of these migrants are not accompanied by their families (see Hamdouch et al, 1981). The causes of migration have witnessed an evolution since the 1960s and 1970s: whereas the first waves of migrants were in search of a better income, present- day migrants are generally unemployed and leave Morocco in search of jobs. The change in the cau ses of migration reflects concomitant changes in the socio - economic structures of Morocco and the host countries. The duration of migration has also witnessed change: whereas migrants of the first waves stayed longer in the host countries, present-day mig rants stay for shorter times given the non-availability of full -time jobs (Chattou 1998). This resulted in more frequent visits to the native country (an average of one visit per year according to Hamdouch et al, 1981). A portion of migrants return (see Ha mdouch et al 1981); this fact reveals the non-integration of these migrants in the European environment and their attachment to their country of origin. This is concordant with the fact that migrants leave their families behind1.
The major causes of migr ation are unemployment